Camp Menzies

Registration for Summer 2019 begins in February.

Camp Menzies, established in 1946, is a 175-acre site located in the
Sierra Nevada about 2 1/2 hours from Sacramento and 2 hours from
Modesto. Busses are available to transport campers to resident camp,
departing from Sacramento, Modesto, Stockton and Angels Camp. Open May
to September, this site has programs designed for girls, troops and families!

The camp facility is comfortably rustic, including seven living
units for camper groups, an open-air dining hall and kitchen, shower
houses, art and nature centers, health center, a meadow for games and
activities, hiking trails, and natural canoeing and swimming areas.
Camp Menzies is accredited by the American
Camp Association and meets high national standards for the
camp’s program, administration, safety and facilities operation.

Our Programs

Our programs include traditional camp activities, such as swimming,
canoeing, arts & crafts, nature study, horseback riding and
outdoor cooking and is enhanced by a variety of tiered, progressive
themes that are based on Girl Scout philosophy and are appropriate to
the age, interests and abilities of campers. In order to facilitate
this, we have three different age-based tracks: Discovery, Pathfinders
and Leadership.

Discovery: Grades 1-5Discovery Programs are designed
for girls entering grades 1-5. Campers have the opportunity to
participate in each activity area and work together with the unit
staff and other girls in their unit to choose different ways they
can complete a badge, camp service projects and more.

Pathfinders: Grades 6-12 Pathfinders Programs are for girls entering grades 6-12, and
many involve multiple Girl Scout age levels. These programs are
facilitated by staff, and girls are given activity options based on
their interests. Their schedules are supplemented by ROC time -
learn more about it in “a day in
the life.”

Leadership: Grades 6-12 Leadership Programs are for girls entering grades 6-12 who
are interested in leading programs for their peers and younger
campers. There are programs for those who aspire to become a
Counselor-in-Training or work on leadership skills in general.
These programs pair up with our Discovery Programs to provide
hands-on experience. Get more
information on the CIT and WIT (Wrangler-in-Training)
programs.

All of our Camp Menzies programs are robust in size and scope: bring
your family for a weekend program, send your girl for a sleep-away
experience; the opportunities are endless. Dates are available in the
camp brochure (link above), and participants can sign up through activities starting
February 1.

A Day in the Life

Canoeing, archery, campfires and horseback riding. Girl Scouts have
the opportunity to participate in these traditional camp programs.
Movie making, construction, field trips and innovating. Depending on
the program chosen, Girl Scouts participate in unique programs that
spark their interests and empower them to dream. Every program allows
girls to Discover, Connect and Take Action in the outdoors.

First days and last days are slightly different. First
days include time for girls to settle in, get to know their sister
campers and unit staff and explore camp. On the first night there is
an all-camp campfire for staff to introduce themselves to the new
campers, as well as share skits and songs. Last days include time for
campers to pack up and clean-up their units as well as a time of
reflection and evaluation as individuals and as a unit.

Activity Periods

Campers may be scheduled for specialist-led activities
such as horseback riding, science and nature study, arts ‘n’ crafts,
swimming, canoeing or archery. Campers also use this time to
participate in activities planned by the girls and their unit
counselors that fit within the program themes. How do activity periods work for younger girls vs. older
girls?Younger girls, Discovery program campers, participate in
activities as a unit group and are scheduled to attend each activity
area at least one time. Older girls, Pathfinders program campers, have
more choice in the activities. As a unit, girls can elect to “skip”
scheduled camp activities, and with the support of counselors they can
elect to participate in alternative options. In the past, elective
camp experiences have included Zumba, Extreme S’mores, Nature
Sculptures, and camp favorites such as canoeing and archery. In this
progressive program model, older girl campers have the option to
create a program that is as unique as them.

Tortoise Time

Tortoise time is a period of the day where campers spend
time in their units, and have some time for slowing down and
reflection. Napping, journaling and writing letters are all activities
you would see during this time. Thinking your camper doesn’t need down
time? There are still counselors offering games and activities during
this time for those that don’t want to rest.

Evening Activities

Evening activities are usually campfires or All Camp
Events - a special event chosen by campers for the entirety of camp to
participate in. Campers are given the opportunity to dream big: dance
parties, carnivals and skits are popular choices. Perhaps your camper
will inspire the next big evening activity?

Our Camp Staff

Many staff who elect to spend their summers at camp are studying to
become educators or youth-development professionals. Others have a
passion for the outdoors, aquatics and/or horses and they want to
inspire girls to grow through out-of-the-ordinary experiences.

Much of our training involves bringing a “challenge by choice”
philosophy to girls. This means that our teams have the training to
encourage campers to step outside their comfort zones, take healthy
risks and grow from the experience.

Staff candidates are recruited from colleges and universities, local
community agencies and referrals. We also partner with Camp
Counselors USA (CCUSA) to hire international staff through their
global exchange program. Many staff are former campers or have gone
through our Counselors in
Training program.

What does it take to be an extraordinary camp staff member?

A caring heart

A love for the outdoors

Seeing a bit of magic within every girl

A level of energy that matches that of our campers and a dedicated
spirit, striving to make the dreams of girls come true

Training Every summer, our camp staff gather for two weeks of training
before summer programs begin. Staff are trained in the Girl Scout
Leadership Experience, Leave No Trace principles, First Aid and CPR,
group facilitation, child abuse prevention, best practices in
programming to the age and ability of girls and more.

Camp Leadership Every summer, our camp staff gather for two weeks of training
before summer programs begin. Staff are trained in the Girl Scout
Leadership Experience, Leave No Trace principles, First Aid and CPR,
group facilitation, child abuse prevention, best practices in
programming to the age and ability of girls and more.

Our Camp Menzies Leadership team supports the staff and campers, and
lives on-site during the summer.